EMN
Dimapur, December 10
Referring to news item carried on November 9 in a section of dailies, “NTC was formed by some people who were critical of NSCN(IM) vis-à-vis ongoing negotiation between the centre and the NSCN(IM)” Nagaland Tribes Council has said that it was neither subjectively formed nor it works against any establishment.
Media Cell, NTC in a statement said, “What NTC strives is for Nagaland to have genuine peace and cordial coexistence among the Nagas and with all neighbors. The NTC is well aware that mediation and negotiation are the prerequisite for understanding. Therefore, NTC stands for better understanding among concerned stakeholders by accepting each other as equals.”
“Also, the paper stated that ‘NTC has been in the centre of controversy, and the state Government and the NSCN (IM) do not recognize it as a legitimate group to represent a section of Naga people’. The Nagas of Nagaland have our birthrights to have our own platform; such formation does not require anyone’s permission except the good will participation. Yes, the NTC is today; functions differently from other public organizations and outside the purview of the ‘Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils (Fourth Amendment) Act, 2009 and therefore, it is not a state sponsored civil society but free from ailment of encumbrances. This is one reason why the NTC has been functioning independently and freely for the welfare and aspirations of the Nagas of Nagaland.”
In reference to the report, “This group was also not supportive of Naga integration, the key demand of NSCN(IM)” the NTC clarified that it is all for integration of contiguous Naga areas, but against any attempt of population integration without land and its resources based on the belief that land and people are undividable to the indigenous people.”
“Indeed, the NTC team calls on the Interlocutor RN Ravi at Hotel Japfu on December 8 at 1800 hrs and had an extensive deliberation on the present peace process in a cordial atmosphere as reported in the paper.”
